Making plans to head out to Saturday’s 89th running of the Carolina Cup Races presented by MUSC Health at the Springdale Race Course? Here are some notes and information to help make your day at the races less stressful and more enjoyable.
Arrive early: The gates to the Springdale Race Course will swing open to the general public on Saturday at 9 a.m., but you might want to give yourself some extra time to arrive at the course and have some patience as you enter and exit the facility.
Due to recent bridge repair and construction issues, I-20 both entering and exiting Camden between exits 92 and 98 have been reduced to one lane each which has led to lengthy delays on normal days. With the Carolina Cup and its anticipated crowd of some 30,000-plus patrons coming into towns, traffic backups are inevitable.
In addition to the interstate, repairs to the bridge on U.S. 1 between Lugoff and Camden has been reduced to one lane coming into Camden and, ultimately toward Springdale Drive and to the Springdale Race Course.
Long lines of traffic and delays are normal for the Carolina Cup, but this year, congestion could be even heavier due to construction issues with traffic usually at its worse between 10:30 a.m. and noon.
For the second straight year, Kool 102.7 FM and Carolina Country Classics 98.7 FM will be providing listeners with live up-to-the-minute traffic reports from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday.
No reserved parks slots left: All reserved parking/tailgating spaces for the races are sold out.
Carolina Cup senior event manager Hannah Marsh reported that a few seats/boxes remained on sale in the grandstand while tickets for both the Turf Club and Post and Paddock luncheon tents were still available, but were selling at a rapid pace.
The Carolina Cup Racing Association (CCRA) is once again reminding its guests that all communication will be paperless and that hard copy invitations to the race will no longer be mailed. The CCRA will use its website at www.carolinacup.org, email and social media platforms to notify guests of ticket sales and other pertinent information about the races.
Here are the prices and details regarding tickets, general admission parking and hospitality packages for the Carolina Cup Races:
Early bird and general admission tickets: $50, if purchased by midnight March 30. If purchased with cash on the day of the races, tickets will be $60 or, $50 on race day if purchased by debit/credit.
(Note: Children under the age of 12 will be admitted to the races free of charge, if accompanied by an adult ticket-holder.)
General admission parking: $10, can be purchased at the race course on race day
Grandstand Box: $600 per box; $150 for an individual seat. The cost for a box includes seating and two VIP parking hang tags. Individual seats come with one VIP parking hang tag. Additional VIP parking hang tags are available for $100 each.
(Call the Carolina Cup office at (803) 432-6513 to purchase grandstand seats.)
Turf Club Luncheon Tent: $200 per adult; $100 per child (12 and under); Grandstand ticket required.
Post and Paddock Luncheon Tent: $125 per adult; $75 per child (12 and under); Limited adjacent parking passes: $75. Grandstand or general admission ticket required.
(Call the Carolina Cup office at (803) 432-6513 to purchase luncheon tickets.)
Call to the post: The first of Saturday’s six carded races will meet the starter’s flag at 1:30 p.m. — paddock time at 1 p.m. — with races being contested at, approximately, 35-minute intervals. The day’s feature, the 89th running of the $75,000 Carolina Cup Sport of Kings Novice Handicap Hurdle, is scheduled for the fourth race of the afternoon — a 3:50 p.m. post time — and highlights a card which will pay out $190,000 in purse money.
Here is Saturday’s running order of races:
1:30 p.m. -- The National Steeplechase Museum $25,000 Maiden Claiming Hurdle presented by Woodford Reserve
2:05 p.m. -- The Dale K. Thiel $30,000 Maiden Hurdle presented by The Health Services District of Kershaw County
2:40 p.m. -- The C.P. and Edith Wills DuBose $30,000 Maiden Hurdle presented by Brown Advisory
3:15 p.m. -- The $30,000 Kirkover-Woodward Ratings Hurdle presented by The City of Camden and Kershaw County
3:50 p.m. -- The $75,000 Carolina Cup presented by MUSC Health Sport of Kings Novice Hurdle
4:25 p.m. -- The Camden Plate Training Flat Race presented by KW Beverage
Do’s and Dont’s:
Do make sure your vehicle meets size restrictions for your tailgate area.
Do distribute all credentials before arriving to Springdale Race Course. Everyone over 12 years of age must have a ticket to enter the property.
Do make a designated driver choice in advance.
Do place your hangtag on your review mirror before you enter the race course. Use the gate number and address on your hangtag to reduce traffic at each gate. Do have all tickets ready to show at the gate.
Do use paper, plastic and cans; avoid glass whenever possible.
Do allow time for traffic and consider alternative routes to arrive at the correct gate.
Don’t overcrowd your tailgate space.
Don’t play loud or profane music.
Don’t touch the horse. Race horses are beautiful, but dangerous.
Don’t bring your pets. Dogs and other animals will not be allowed entry onto Springdale Race Course.
Don’t bring flags, banners, flyers, balloons, solicitation materials or campaign materials.
Don’t encroach on other’s tailgating space.
Don’t bring drones for the safety of guests and horses.
Don’t bring charcoal grills, oil fryers, smokers or steamers. They are prohibited by order of the Camden Fire Department.
Loud music and music with profane lyrics will not be tolerated.
Personal golf carts, all terrain vehicles (ATV), utility task vehicle (UTV), side-by-sides (SxS), ROV (recreational off-highway vehicle) or multipurpose off-highway utility vehicles (MOHUV) are not permitted on the Springdale Race Course property. All oversize vehicles, recreational vehicles (RVs) vans and buses must use restricted tailgating. Tailgating is not allowed in general admission parking or VIP parking.
All reserved tailgating vehicles must have the appropriate hang tags. All other vehicles will be directed to General Parking.
There is a one vehicle per tailgate space limit and there is no re-entry onto the grounds allow ed.
